The SNJM invites you to celebrate the First International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking

Longueuil, Quebec, Canada – January 30, 2015 -the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary invites the public, its members and friends to celebrate the First International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. The Day will take place on February 8, the feast of Saint Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese slave who became a religious and was canonized in2000.

 The SNJM Justice and Peace Committee encourages the public to get involved, to sign a petition, to demonstrate, to buy a fair trade product, to make a friend aware. Actions that anyone can do. Let’s have real impact together. The Congregation will be organizing a number of sharing circles and discussion groups. A special prayer has been written for the Day and is available online. Our collective prayer will serve as the launching point for our discussions. Everyone who is interested is invited to join!

About the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking
Organized by two Pontifical Councils and the International Unions of Superiors General for both women and men religious (the UISG and the USG), the Day will be celebrated in dioceses and parishes throughout the world. The Day is intended to increase public awareness about human trafficking and to promote reflection on the overall situation of violence and injustice that affects and makes “slaves” of the poor and the “voiceless”. To learn more

About human trafficking

According to the International Labour organization (ILO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), approximately 21 million people, often the most poor and vulnerable, are victims of human trafficking for purposes of sexual exploitation, forced labour, organ theft, forced begging, domestic servitude, forced marriage, illegal adoption or other forms of exploitation. To learn more

About the SNJM Sisters

The Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) is an international community of Catholic women religious. Those affiliated with them include associates and lay consecrated persons. Founded in 1843 in Longueuil, QC, Canada, the congregation carries out its mission of education on three continents. This year, the Congregation is celebrating 10 years of commitment and involvement against human trafficking.  Also, the SNJMs actively support two NGO involved against human trafficking: Unanima Internationa and Cathii.  Want to learn more?  Visit www.snjm.org